boyutpedia Chapter 494: Just Smirking
Chapter 494: Just Smirking
After two or three cups of tea, Xu Zize came back with the support of Qingfeng and Lvying. He reeked of alcohol and no one knew how much he had drunk.
His steps were a little unsteady, but he managed to keep steady. A faint blush crept across his face, clearly from the alcohol. Qingfeng and Luying, one on each side, carefully supported him, their eyes filled with worry, yet they dared not say anything. They could only follow him silently, fearing that he would fall if he wasn't careful.
Jing Chunxi stood up when he heard the noise. Seeing this, his brows furrowed slightly, and with a tone of blame, he said to Qingfeng and Luying: "You can't help at all."
She felt both distressed and helpless. Although Xu Zize was usually serious, he was so drunk today because of the enthusiasm of his clansmen. She couldn't help but feel a little guilty and thought that she had not advised him in advance.
Xu Zize sat in a chair, leaning back slightly, his face slightly red, but his eyes still clear. He looked at Jing Chunxi, a smile on his lips, and said in a clear voice: "It's okay, the clan members are happy, and Brother Xiaokang is happy too."
His voice remained steady, but Jing Chunxi could still detect a hint of drunken laziness. He should be alright. She breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help but chide him, "You haven't even grown all your hair yet, and you're already imitating someone else's drinking habits." Her tone was filled with censure, yet she couldn't conceal the concern in her eyes.
Facing Jing Chunxi's concern, Xu Zize just chuckled, a hint of doting in his eyes. He knew he had drunk a little too much today, but seeing Jing Chunxi so worried about him, a warm current surged in his heart, and he always felt that his efforts seemed to be rewarded.
Jing Chunxi quickly scooped up half a bowl of sweet soup, pushed it towards him, and ordered, "Sweet soup is for sobering up! Drink it quickly, drink it all."
Xu Zize obediently picked up the bowl and gulped it all down. After finishing, he straightened his face, smiled foolishly at Jing Chunxi, and said, "Brother Xiaokang is really fine. He can't come back without being a little drunk." His smile was innocent, much better than his usual stern face. Jing Chunxi looked at him and couldn't help but feel soft in his heart. He actually thought he was a little cute and couldn't help but pull the corners of his mouth and smile at him.
The New Year’s Eve dinner prepared by the tribe was very rich in dishes.
Xiao Jianyuan looked at the table full of delicacies and said, "The New Year's Eve dinner in Jian'an County generally contains profound cultural connotations. I heard it from local officials. You see, eleven dishes are also the homonyms of "good days" in Jian'an dialect." After speaking, he repeated it in Jian'an dialect, which made everyone laugh.
Xu Zize calmed down and finally stopped giggling. He was the first to raise his bowl of sweet soup and said, "From now on, every day will be a good day for us." His voice, though slightly drunk, was remarkably firm. Everyone clinked their bowls together before starting to eat.
Xu Zize introduced clearly: "Today's main dishes and special dishes are mainly four, you all have to try them."
As he spoke, he picked up an abalone for Jing Chunxi and said, "This big pot of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is full of good ingredients. The royal family and royal nobles can only eat it during the Chinese New Year. It's not as fresh as the one in Jian'an City." Although his movements were a bit clumsy, his eyes were full of concern for Jing Chunxi.
Jing Chunxi picked up the abalone and took a bite of half. It was a taste she had never tasted before. It was soft and tender, with a rich meaty aroma, but not greasy. She couldn't help but praise it, "It's really delicious."
Xu Zize was even more delighted when he saw Jing Chunxi devour the abalone, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He then pointed his chopsticks at another dish and said, "This is a specialty of Jian'an County, called Jian'an Fermented Fish. It's delicious, sweet with a hint of wine, symbolizing 'abundance year after year.' It's best eaten hot, but it won't taste fishy even if it's cold." He then placed another piece of tender fish belly into Jing Chunxi's bowl.
"Xi'er, did you eat the lychee meat that day? This is made by the chef tonight, it will definitely taste better." After saying that, he picked up two pieces and put them into Jing Chunxi's bowl.
Jing Chunxi looked at the lychee meat in the bowl and felt a little helpless. She knew Xu Zize had drunk too much today and had lost his composure, but she couldn't bear to refuse him. She picked up a piece of lychee meat, took a small bite, put it down, and said, "It's really delicious."
"Blood cockles dipped in sauce symbolizes health and prosperity. Xier, just try it. I can't get used to the taste." This time, his chopsticks had turned around, but after thinking about it, he didn't pick up the blood cockles for Jing Chunxi, but put them into Xiao Deguang's bowl.
Xiao Deguang was happy to express his gratitude all the time.
Cheng Rui and Cheng Zhi glanced at each other, each realizing that their cousin, Xiao Kang, wasn't drunk yet. They secretly admired Xu Zize's drinking capacity and were touched by his feigned madness. They were also curious about the relationship between Jing Chunxi and Xu Zize.
Every time a dish was introduced, Xu Zize would put a spoonful of food into Jing Chunxi's bowl. He wouldn't eat it himself, but would just stare at Jing Chunxi. It was as if as long as Jing Chunxi ate, he would be full too.
Xu Zize was too enthusiastic, so Jing Chunxi inevitably felt a little uncomfortable, and didn't want him to stay like this any longer.
Seeing that there was a dish of mustard greens porridge on the table, he quickly scooped two large spoonfuls of it into his empty bowl, put the spoon into the bowl, and said in a commanding tone: "Eat it quickly, the porridge can warm your stomach."
Xu Zize did not refuse, nor did he say anything. He just picked up the spoon, lowered his head, and ate mouthful after mouthful silently until the porridge was finished.
Xu Zize finally stopped smiling foolishly, his face was no longer so red, the smell of alcohol slowly dissipated, and the atmosphere around him became warm.